Summary of Proposed Investment
Project Number
9586
Company Name
Bell Medical Centers Limited
Date SPI Disclosed
May 12, 1999
Country
Zimbabwe
Industry
Health, Education and Life Sciences
Status
Completed
Sector
Hospitals and Clinics
Department
Regional Industry - MAS Africa
Environmental Category
B - Limited
Previous Events
Approved : Jun 30, 1999
Signed : May 5, 2000
Invested : Aug 2, 2000
Project Description
SUMMARY OF PROJECT INFORMATION (SPI)
Project Name: Zimbabwe - Bell Medical Centers (BMC)
Region: Sub-Saharan Africa
Sector: Hospitals/Health
Project No: 009586
Projected Board June 30, 1999
Date:
Company Name: Bell Medical Centers (Private) Limited
Technical Partner and/or Major Shareholders
The principal shareholder is Dr. Arikana Chiyedzo Chihombori (42), a Zimbabwean medical doctor presently residing in America. She has been educated and worked in the USA for the past twenty years both as a student and as a practicing medical doctor. She holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from Fisk University and she obtained her medical degree from Meharry Medical College, Tennessee in 1986. In 1992, she founded the Bell Family Medical Center in Tennessee. She is the CEO. In addition, in 1996 she also founded and is co-owner of the Mid-Tennessee Medical Associates, which is a multi specialty clinic with 16 physicians.
Project Cost Including proposed IFC investment
The project cost is US$1.61 million and IFC has been requested to provide quasi-equity of US$0.750 million.
Location of project and Description of site
The project is located in industrial area of Kwekwe/Redcliff, about 200 km south of Harare, Zimbabwe.
Description of Company and Purpose of Project
The project involves the expansion of the Torwood Hospital and the Redcliff Medical Center in Kwekwe, in the midlands province of Zimbabwe. The two centers are owned by Bell Medical Centers, whose main office is in Harare. Until recently, the Zimbabwe Iron and Steel Company (ZISCO), a parastatal, owned both medical facilities through its in-house medical benefits scheme, Zisco Medical Benefits Society (ZMBS). To enable the centers to provide more services and handle the anticipated increase in the number of patients, there is need to expand the centers by adding outpatient departments and upgrading facilities. There will be a requirement to install new and up to date equipment, an in-house pharmacy, a laboratory, a radiology department, upgrading operating theatres and the kitchens
Environmental Category and Issues
This is a Category B project according to IFC''s environmental review procedure because specific impacts may result which can be avoided or mitigated by adhering to generally recognized performance standards, guidelines, or design criteria. Key environmental health and safety issues that were analyzed are as follows:
• handling and disposal of medical materials;
• disposal of medical and bio-hazardous wastes;
• disposal of solid and liquid wastes including sewage;
• power and water supply including fuel storage if applicable;
• hygiene and implementation of good hospital management practices;
•CFC-free air conditioning and cold storage equipment;
• employee health and safety training and medical monitoring; and
• fire protection and safety in both the existing facilities and expansion phases.
To mitigate impacts associated with the project the sponsor will follow US standards with respect to waste handling and disposal procedures; a high temperature incinerator will be installed to handle hazardous waste; general waste will go to the municipality; staff will receive appropriate safety training and undergo regular medial check ups; and an independent fire safety audit of the structure and/or design plans will be completed.
The Environmental Review Summary (ERS) is expected to be available on or about May 12, 1999 from the Public Information Center.
Host Country location of Zimbabwe
environmental documents
Date SPI sent to PIC: May 12, 1999
“This Summary of Project Information is prepared and distributed to the public in advance of consideration of the proposed transaction by the Corporations Board of Directors. It is provided for the purpose of enhancing the transparency of IFC’s activities and should not be construed as presuming the outcome of IFC Board consideration.”
For additional Information contact: Corporate Relations Unit -
telephone: (202) 473-7711
facsimile: (202) 974-4384
Environmental documents for this project are available at http://www.ifc.org and from the World Bank InfoShop (http://www.worldbank.org/html/pic/aboutinfo.html).
Sponsor / Cost / Location
Related ESRS/ERS
